Improvement in sheet-metal-can machines



W.-A. WICK-s. Sheet-Metal-Gan Machines No. 197,440. Patented Nov.20,1877.

lair- UNI'rEn STATES A11A'I.;E1\T'r Enron.

WILLIAM A. wIcxs, or BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN SHEET-METAL-CAN MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 197,440, dated November20, 1877; application filed July i2, i877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. WIcKs, of the city of Baltimore and Stateof Maryland, have invented certain Improvements in Can- Machines, ofwhich the following is a specilication; and I do hereby declare that inthe same is contained a full, clear, and exact description of my saidinvention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to certain improvements in a machine for closingthe ends ofthe body of a sheet-metal can arormd the heads of the same,an operation preparatory to the permanent fastening of the said partstogether by means of solder, as will hereinafter more fully appear. l

This invention is intended to be used in the manufacture of that classof cans inwhich the bodies of the cans have outwardly-flaring ends toadmit ofthe insertion ofthe heads to alimited distance only withinthesame, the said .heads being provided with exterior han ges, which aresrldered to the can-bodyfrom the outsidethereo The said inventionconsists in, providing a revoluble head, adapted to have a verticalsliding movement within bearings on a frame, with a series ofindependently-revoluble inverted conical projections on the under sidethereof, the said conical projections being located at such distancefrom the center of the head as, in the revolution of thesame, to effectthe contraction of the flaring edge of the canbody around the can-head,when the same is brought into contact therewith.

The said invention further consists in combining, with the revolublehead aforesaid, a device for holding the can-head in position during theoperation of the machine, as hereinafter described.

In the further description of my invention which follows, reference ismade to the accompanying drawing, forming a part hereof, and in which-Figure l is a partly-sectional side elevation of the machine, showingthe revoluble head in an elevated position. Fig. 2 is aplan of themachine.- Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a can and the revoluble head, insection, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 illustrates amodifcation in thearrangement of the revoluble projection with reference to the' revolublehead. Fig. 5 shows the projection as fixed to the j head; A is a table,and B a frame or stand extending upwardly therefrom. A portion of thestand is adapted as a bearing for the revoluble shaft b, to the lowerend of which the head G is secured. D D are inverted conical projectionsattached to the under side of the head C, in such manner as to admit oftheir being revolved upon their axes and independently of the saidhead.. A bent lever, E, ispivoted to the frame B, and is used as meansfor transmitting a downward movement to the shaft b and revoluble head Cfrom the foot of the attendant. The upward motion of the said shaft andrevoluble head is caused by a spring, which spring may be applied in anysuitable manner. A presser-plate, G, providedwith a spring, serves tohold the can-head tightly within the can-body during the operation ofthe machine, as hereinafter described.

A tray, H, on the table is used to hold the can while being operatedupon, and its position with reference to the vertical center-line of therevoluble head is such as to center the can, or guide it to its properplace beneath the same.

The shaft b is shown in the drawing as driven through the medium of abelt; but any other means may be employed, if preferred.

In Fig. 4 the projections are revoluble and cylindrical in shape; butthey are placed at an inclination with reference to the face of thehead, and therefore are practically conical projections.

In Fig. 5 a similar design is shown, except that the projections'arefixed to the head, and revolve with it, each projection performing onerevolution upon its' axis during a revolution of the head. 4

The operation of the machine is as follows: A can is placed upon thetray, and a head inserted in the upper endthereof. The attendantthen-places his foot upon the lower end of the bent lever, which isadapted as a treadle, and, by exerting a slight pressure thereon, causesthe revoluble head to descend, and the conical projections thereon to bebrought into contact with the flaring edge ofthe can-body. By continuingthe downward movement of the revolublehead, the haring edge of thecanbody, together with the ange of the can-head, are turned slightlyinward, and a close joint formed between them. The revoluble head is nowallowed to ascend, and the position of the can upon the tray reversed,after which the other head is secured in the manner described.

It Will be understood that as it` is only necessary to bring the upperledge of the can into contact with the conical projections on therevolving head to cause the contraction 4of the said edge around andupon the can-head, it is not material whether the can or the revolvinghead is subjected to the vertical movement necessary to bring themtogether; but the method herein shown is preferred.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and wish tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-.

WILLIAM A. VVICKS.

Witnesses WM. T. HOWARD, JN0. T. MADDOX, Jr.

